Essentials to Raising Chickens

You don't have to live on a farm in order to keep and raise a small flock of chickens. Many people keep backyard poultry flocks to save money, to raise their own food and know its provenance. Among the essential items you will need to get started are food, water and shelter for your birds, and a male, if you plan to breed your own poultry.

  1. The Run

    • Chickens need an area to roam. The chicken run and coop area should provide at least 10 square feet of space per chicken, according to the Colorado State University Extension. You can supplement this space by using a chicken fence to temporarily enclose smaller areas to allow chickens to feed from grass and insects outside of the run. The area should have dirt for chickens to "bathe" in and provide room to move about and exercise.

    The Coop

    • Chickens require safe, secure housing in the form of a coop. A coop is a building that shelters the flock, and it must provide protection from the elements and predatory animals. The coop should contain a roosting area and a separate nesting area. You should provide 6 to 10 inches of roost space per chicken, and stock the building with nesting material such as straw or leaves. These help protect the eggs and keep them cleaner.

    The Feed

    • Chickens require specialized feed at various stages of growth and depending upon whether they're intended for egg or meat production. Complete feeds are specialized blends created to provide all the vitamins and minerals required for these stages of growth and production. Starter feed for chicks contains high levels of protein to aid in growth. Layer feed is created for laying hens and provides additional minerals, such as calcium. Finisher diet, developer diet and medicated feeds are among the other specialized feeds. You should also provide grit, as chickens need to swallow small stones; these are held in their gizzards and assist the chickens in processing their food.

    The Rooster

    • A rooster is essential to your flock if you plan to raise chicks from your own eggs. Hens can lay eggs without a rooster, but those eggs will not be fertile without a rooster to provide sperm. Roosters act to protect the hens in your flock, which can be both good and bad. Roosters may view humans as intruders, as well as predatory animals, and their spurs can inflict painful wounds. If you keep more than one rooster, they may fight one another. Roosters are also noisy creatures, and their crowing may be intolerable if you are raising a flock in the city or need to sleep while the birds are active and vocalizing.